Communities are set to benefit from a £10million boost for community, culture and leisure facilities.
As it set its budget for the next year (2026/27) today, Thursday 26 February 2026, the council also agreed an additional £32million in capital funding for its record five-year capital investment programme, which will be brought forward to consider schools, roads and community facilities.
The investment includes £2.5million to ensure the Time Capsule in Coatbridge remains one of Scotland’s top visitor attractions for families and £845,000 will be spent to revitalise and restore the historic hall in Colzium House which will also house a newly-created Kilsyth Heritage Museum.
In Airdrie, the Four Isles Community Centre will receive £820,000 to transform it into a modern community arts and music venue.
Across North Lanarkshire, eight sports pitches and four existing pavilions will be resurfaced or upgraded to encourage future use by schools, clubs and local communities, helping to support active and healthy lifestyles. Additional investment will enhance town centres, country parks and open spaces.
The pitch upgrades will take place at Cumbernauld and St Andrew’s Primary Schools, Taylor High School in Motherwell, St Ambrose High Schools in Coatbridge where two 3G pitches will be replaced, Caldervale 3G pitch in Airdrie, Coltness 3G pitch in Wishaw, Calderhead 3G pitch in Shotts, and the 3G pitch at Wishaw Sports Centre.
In addition, several existing pavilions will be replaced with modern modular buildings that provide improved changing facilities.
This includes Cleland Football Pavilion in Wishaw, the Gartferry / Moodiesburn Pavilion in the Northern Corridor, Harthill Pavilion, and the West End Pavilion at the Sir Matt Busby Centre in Bellshill.
A £200,000 fund will support the most vulnerable people in our communities facing cost of living pressures.
Councillor Jim Logue, Leader of the Council said, “This budget addresses the needs of people and communities to support and encourage healthy, active lives.
“Like all local authorities, we are facing extraordinary financial challenges, but this budget ensures that we can continue to deliver on community priorities and essential services.”
North Lanarkshire currently has the fourth lowest council tax in Scotland and next year - it is set to rise by 7% or £1.95 per week (Council Tax Band D).
A 2% share of the council tax increase is allocated to the council’s groundbreaking Community Investment Fund to boost vital infrastructure improvements that will directly benefit our local communities, including community hubs, roads, housing, leisure and town centre regeneration. The remaining 5% protects the delivery of vital council services.
Most households in North Lanarkshire are in Bands A and B and these households will see their council tax increase by £1.30 and £1.52 respectively per week.
Councillor Logue continued, “With sustained real-term cuts from the Scottish Government for capital projects, the impact of which is being felt across the country, our innovative approach will see a portion of the council tax rise directly fund vital infrastructure such as community hubs, primary schools, leisure centres and roads for the benefit of people and communities across North Lanarkshire.
“We have one of the largest and most ambitious capital programmes in Scotland and this budget will provide an additional £32million capital funding to enhance our new five-year capital plan from 2027.”